Supporting the art of photography

Mr Kwek Leng Joo, Chairman of the Singapore Young Photographer Award Steering Committee
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

Good evening.

1. It is my pleasure to join you this evening at the 5th Singapore Young Photographer Award or “SYPA” Prize Presentation and Photo Exhibition Opening Ceremony.
   

2. The response to this year's SYPA has been very encouraging both in terms of the number of participants and the quality of the entries. I am delighted that our young participants have worked hard to meet the high standards of this Award, and we shall soon see the results of their talent and hard work.
   

3. From about 1,500 entries received this year, we honour 12 young photographers who display unique artistic flair and maturity that belie their youth. These participants have demonstrated their versatility and finesse across various photographic genres. The 12 are: Charmaine Yap, Darren Ng, Toh Xing Jie, Vanessa Lorraine Chea, Vaylor Tan, Ivan Tan, Koh Chaik Hong, Tan Yew Hui, Tang Jun Hao, Bernice Wong, Sasha Anjuli Kaur Gill, and Muhammad Noor Iskandar Bin Othman. To the 12 of you: congratulations and well done!
   

4. As you know, we just had our National Day celebration, and are gearing up for our Golden Jubilee next year. As we reflect on how to celebrate, it is also important that we also think about how the arts and culture can play a role in our national celebrations.
   

5. Photography in particular is a very important medium for creative self-expression and communication. The “Defining Moments” exhibition now on display in the Museum here is an example of how photography can capture powerful historical moments for our collective memory. This exhibition was put up by the National Museum together with the SPH, and showcases some of the prominent photographs that reflect the defining moments in our nation's history. This collective remembrance is crucial in building our national identity and in strengthening our sense of belonging.
   

6. Not only is photography an important art form, it's also within everyone's reach.  Some of us may not have the talent to paint, play a musical instrument or to write a novel. But everyone can take a photograph. And nowadays, it's so much easier – people use camera phones all the time to spontaneously capture the different emotions of their day, and share them with friends through social media. Photography has become very accessible unlike 30 years ago. Today, technology has progressed, and with digital technology it is very easy to take and edit photographs.
   

7. Technology has changed the way photos are produced and shared, and made photography much more accessible to everyone. It has helped to encourage interest in photography. But at the same time, the art of photography has not changed. Photography remains a rigorous art form in its own right. There is considerable artistic craft and skill involved in taking a picture that captures the right moment, and conveys a compelling story. So perhaps it is this combination of accessibility, innovation through technology and artistic rigour, which makes photography one of the most versatile, powerful and fast-growing art forms today.
   

8. To support the art of photography, we have several platforms to encourage our young artists, including photographers, to showcase their works and to pursue artistic excellence. These include both public sector platforms hosted by our museums, as well as private initiatives such as SYPA. We are committed to developing the visual art scene in Singapore in a broad and holistic manner, with photography taking its place alongside the established art forms like painting and sculpture.
   

9. While the focus of tonight's event is to honour our young artists, I'd like to take a moment to honour the people behind SYPA, particularly Mr Kwek Leng Joo. From very early on, Leng Joo has seen the need for the private sector to work with the government to build up our arts and culture scene. He therefore initiated SYPA to discover and nurture budding young photographers. In fact SYPA itself is an extension of the photo-book tribute “To Singapore with Love” that Leng Joo initiated to celebrate Singapore's 40th birthday in 2005. Thanks to his efforts, SYPA has grown to become one of the most prestigious national photo competitions organised for young people in Singapore.
   

10. Today, Leng Joo remains very committed to raising the status and standard of photography through his involvement in various photographic organisations. More than funding, he gives of his precious time and energies to support the causes he believes in. So I would like to thank Leng Joo and his Steering Committee's commendable efforts in putting together this Award and the exhibition.

11. Finally I would like to once again congratulate all the winners of this year's Singapore Young Photographer Award. I encourage all of you to continue to pursue your interests and improve your skills in photography and I look forward to seeing your future works showcased on an even larger platform.
    

12. On that note, I am pleased to declare the SYPA photo exhibition open. Thank you and have a pleasant evening!